About Us | Partnerships in Conservation | Department of Defense Partnership

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) manages approximately 25 million acres (10 million hectares) on more than 425 major military installations throughout the United States. These installations serve as the bedrock upon which the military services conduct essential training, testing, and basing, thereby providing for the Nation’s common defense. For years, access limits due to security considerations and the need for safety buffer zones have sheltered these lands from development pressures and large-scale habitat losses. Most military lands contain rare species and fine examples of rare native plant communities, such as old-growth forests, tall-grass prairies, and vernal pool wetlands. Over 300 federally listed species live on DoD-managed lands.

Endangered species management on military lands remains a challenging and critical focus for DoD’s resource managers. Successful endangered species management ultimately depends upon the resource manager’s skills and expertise, as well as their use of available tools, training, and resources. DoD’s continued interagency cooperation and partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS ) are essential elements toward these efforts.